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Ebbsfleet United manager Kevin Watson has defended his players after their stormy win at Hartlepool United.
Keeper Jordan Holmes and Jermaine McGlashan both reported alleged racial comments from home supporters during Saturday’s National League win at Victoria Park.
But home fans have hit back on social media, disputing the claims and blasting Fleet’s ‘time-wasting’ tactics.
“I think we’ve been given stick and comments have been aimed at us that would not happen with one of my teams,” said Watson.
“I’ve seen a lot of negative comments from the opposition (fans) about my players – calling us various things – but I’d never send one of my sides out like that.
“It’s not nice and we don’t want any more negative publicity towards our club.
“The things I’ve seen about time-wasting really didn’t happen. If the ball goes out behind the goal and there are no supporters there then it’s going to take a while to come back –Jordan doesn’t need to run for it.
“The boys that went down with injuries were legitimate injuries.
“If time-wasting is being clever by keeping the ball in the corner and playing it off your opponent’s legs for a throw-in, then I call that good game management.”
An announcement was made during the match to the crowd regarding racial abuse while both players and Watson spoke to the referee after the game.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that before and it’s not nice if it has happened,” said Watson.
“Ayo Obileye was coming on as a substitute and Jordan came over and spoke to the fourth official.
“There was an alleged comment from behind the goal that Jordan didn’t feel was right. The referee came over and followed the protocol.
“Then Jermaine was on the far side and he said there was a comment while he was waiting to come back on the pitch.
“The referee called us over again and there was a tannoy announcement.
“The referee was very good, he spoke to us after the game. All the officials, including the safety officer, were in his room and he took detailed reports from the players and the FA will now investigate what has happened.”
Fleet’s Ayo Obileye saw red after the final whistle after clashing with Hartlepool boss Dave Challinor, who was also sent off.
“One of their fans went on the pitch and was going to confront Ayo,” said Watson.
“He celebrated the win, perhaps he shouldn’t have done it in front of them, but they’ve given us stick throughout the game and it’s a show of emotion.
“No supporter should ever enter the field of play – that’s completely not on.
“Then Ayo and Dave Challinor had words and both got sent off. Whether we appeal it or not, I don’t know yet.”
Watson appreciated it was an intimidating place to visit with Hartlepool going for the play-offs – but insisted there was no reason for his team to delay the game.
“It’s a difficult place to go, there were nearly 4,000 fans in there with 50 or 60 of our supporters,” he added. “It was quite a hostile atmosphere and they are desperate for their team to do well.
“I didn’t hear it but I know my players and those two boys are good lads.
“They’ve no need to do it. Please, someone tell me why we would want to stop the restart for six or seven minutes and put pressure on a team-mate? Gozie (Ugwu) had to wait a long time to take the penalty. Why would you do that?
“To be fair to Jordan it wasn’t directed at him. He was getting stick throughout the game but when that comment was directed at his team-mate he felt it wasn’t right.”
